Display of Iranian Power at Munich Gathering in the Heart of Europe
The gathering of Iranians in “Munich” and participation in Prince Pahlavi’s call represents a narrative of Iranian solidarity and explicit messages about Iran’s future.
The large-scale gathering of Iranians in the city of Munich, which took place following a call by Reza Pahlavi, became one of the largest gatherings of Iranians outside the country in recent years; an event that not only reflected in terms of the number of participants, but also gained widespread resonance in terms of political and international messages.
The son of Iran’s last shah, who attended the gathering with his wife, began his remarks by addressing the crowd in a warm tone, saying: “As our kids would say, you blew it up. This is one of the largest gatherings of Iranians outside the country that we have ever assembled.” This statement quickly went viral among those present and on social media, becoming a symbol of the passionate atmosphere of that day.
He continued by addressing the people inside the country, saying: “Know that you are not alone and know that throughout the world, united Iranians have conveyed your voice to the world.” A message centered on the solidarity of Iranians inside and outside the country, which was repeatedly emphasized throughout the speech.
In another part of his remarks, Reza Pahlavi viewed the current struggle as a turning point in Iran’s political transformation, and referring to the slogan “This is the last battle…” chanted by protesters in Iran, he said: “After nearly half a century has passed, after decades of the world’s appeasement of this repressive system and several freedom-loving movements by the people that we could not bring to a final conclusion, we have now reached a stage where, as you say, this is the final battle.”
He also made clear while refuting narratives about the lack of consensus among opponents of the Islamic Republic: “The enemies try to claim that people do not agree; this is sheer lie. You have proven this.”
Continuing, he said referring to the activities of Iranians outside the country: “Fellow countrymen abroad, today more than ever you see this horizon of victory drawing closer. In every corner of the world, Iranians each in their own way have been on the scene in recent months to convey the voice of your fellow countrymen to the world.”
An important part of this speech was delivered in English and addressed to citizens of other countries. Reza Pahlavi said in this section: “We know that we are not alone and I thank you for being with us. The people of Iran, unlike this occupying regime that has held us hostage for 47 years, wishes to see your solidarity.”
He continued: “We are fighting for freedom, justice, democracy and human rights. I am here to assure you that in the future, we will have a secular and democratic Iran.”
He emphasized to those present at the end of his remarks that they should have certainty, not just hope, about Iran’s future, saying: “No force in the world can stop a united nation, and this time it is Iran’s turn.” He also added: “We will continue this struggle to the end, this system is weaker than ever and is on the verge of collapse. We have the duty to never let what happened in recent weeks be forgotten.”
Reza Pahlavi also paid tribute to families who have lost their loved ones, saying that there has not been a day when he has not wept for those killed. He ended his remarks with these sentences: “Victory is ours and light triumphs over darkness.”
At this gathering, Lindsey Graham, a senior Republican U.S. senator, was also present and drew media attention with explicit remarks. He shouted to the crowd: “Help is on the way.”
This influential senator, by outlining a different approach to U.S. foreign policy, made clear that Iran’s path to returning to its past greatness passes through dialogue with its people, not negotiations with the current rulers. He emphasized: “The path to Iran’s greatness passes through dialogue with the people of this country, not negotiations with the ayatollahs.”
Graham, stating that “the time has come” for the current rulers to go, described a world without the Islamic Republic as a better and safer world. He also repeatedly, by repeating the phrase “President Trump has said help is on the way,” spoke of his government’s determination to support change in Iran and added that the voices of protesters have reached Donald Trump’s ears.
In conclusion, while praising the perseverance of protesters, he said: “Your sacrifice amazes me, you have made history.”
On the other side of these developments, Abbas Araghchi published posts on the social media platform X, sharply criticizing the positions of European countries. Referring to the Munich Security Conference, he wrote: “It is regrettable that we see the normally serious Munich Security Conference turn into a circus when it comes to Iran.”
He described Europe’s current course as very grim and added: “Current Europe is paralyzed and irrelevant, and in the ongoing talks about Iran’s nuclear program, no trace of it is seen.”
Araghchi also made clear while referring to regional diplomatic developments: “Instead, our friends in the region are acting much more effectively and usefully than the three European countries sidelined.”
The Munich gathering can be seen as a scene of intersection of three different narratives:
- The opposition narrative that sees it as a sign of cohesion and the proximity of change;
- The narrative of some Western politicians who emphasize support for the “Iranian people”;
- The official narrative of Tehran that describes these events as political theater without real impact.
What is certain is that the gathering of Iranians in Munich showed that the issue of Iran remains on the agenda of some Western politicians and international public opinion. In circumstances where internal developments, economic pressures, and nuclear disputes continue, this gathering once again demonstrated that the Iran equation is not defined solely within borders and the voices of Iranians outside the country also have an impact in shaping the political atmosphere.
